Gender Ethnicracial And Life Span Considerations

Hyperthyroidism is most frequently found in women as compared with men, and some experts suggest that the hormone cycles of women may in some way affect the incidence of thyroid disease. Although it can affect all ages, it is most typically diagnosed in 20- to 40-year-olds and is unusual in children, teenagers, and people over 65 years of age. When hyperthyroidism occurs in the elderly, their symptoms may be more subtle than those of younger persons, and the classic signs may even be absent. Occasionally, an elderly person with hyperthyroidism has apathy or withdrawal instead of the more typical hypermetabolic state. No specific gender and ethnic/racial considerations exist in hyperthyroidism.